With
news of the British defeat off Coronel,
battlecruisers Invincible (flag, Vice-Adm
Sturdee) and Inflexible, 2nd BCS Grand
Fleet were ordered to the South Atlantic sailing
from Devonport on 11 November. At this time it was
not known if von Spee would head round Cape Horn,
go north to Panama Canal, or even turn back into
the Pacific. Of the ships in the South Atlantic,
old battleship Canopus reached the Falklands on
the 12 November and remained at Port Stanley as
guardship, berthed on the mud, while armoured
cruisers Carnarvon (flag, Rear-Adm Stoddart),
Cornwall, Kent, and light cruisers Bristol and
Glasgow sailed for a rendezvous at Abrolhos Rocks
which Adm Sturdee reached on the 26th.

The
German Warships

(images,
all Photo Ships, except one)

Armoured
Cruisers

SMS Gneisenau - lost

SMS Scharnhorst - lost

Light
Cruisers

SMS
Dresden - escaped but later found and sunk
(Maritime Quest)

SMS
Danzig, sister-ship to SMS Leipzig - lost

SMS
Nürnberg - lost

On
this same day Adm von Spee, after coaling off the
southern Chile coast, sailed to attack the Falkland
Islands and destroy the facilities there.
Fortunately for the British, they were so delayed
rounding Cape Horn that Adm Sturdee was able to
reach there first, arriving the morning of 7
December, by which time armed merchant cruiser
Macedonia had joined. His plan was to coal, allow
Bristol to repair her engines, then sail by the 9th
for Cape Horn before von Spee came east.

The
first German ships were sighted from Sapper Hill at
0750. At this time Macedonia was on patrol off Port
Stanley and had not coaled, Invincible and Inflexible
were coaling, only Carnarvon and Glasgow had
finished refuelling, and Cornwall, Kent and Bristol
were still waiting, Cornwall also had an engine
opened up at 6 hours notice and Bristol was still
repairing hers with fires drawn. As Gneisenau
and Nürnberg approached to shell the wireless
station, Canopus fired four shells at extreme range
around 0915, fragments of one or perhaps a ricochet
possibly hit Gneisenau, they turned away to
join the German flagship and the squadron headed SE
away from the Falklands at full speed. Kent had left
the harbour by 0915, Glasgow weighed to join her, Inflexible,
Invincible and Cornwall sailed out at 1000,
followed by Carnarvon and then around 1100 by
Bristol which with Macedonia was diverted to search
for the German colliers, sinking two out of three
southeast of the Falklands.

Invincible
and Inflexible in the lead opened fire on
the lagging Leipzig at 1251, then realising there
was no escape, von Spee ordered his three light
cruisers to scatter south at 1320 while the two
armoured cruisers headed NE to cover their retreat.
At this time, the two British battlecruisers joined
by the slower Carnarvon engaged armoured cruisers Scharnhorst
(flag, sunk 1617) and Gneisenau (sunk around
1800). Armoured cruiser Kent went after light
cruiser Nürnberg (action started 1615, sunk
1927), sister ship Cornwall after Leipzig, and light
cruiser Glasgow after Dresden (which escaped).
Because Glasgow could only gain on Dresden slowly,
she transferred her attention to Leipzig to give
Cornwall time to catch up, Glasgow opening fire at
1453, Cornwall coming into action around 1615. After
Leipzig was sunk (at 2123), Glasgow
went after Dresden again but with her speed reduced
lost the German in the mist and rain.

Battlecruisers

Invincible-class, 20,080, 8-12in/16-4in/4-18in tt

Invincible,
initially ranged on Gneisenau, hit by about 20
mainly 8.2in shells, foremast strut carried away,
one 4in gun out of action and one bunker flooded; no
killed or wounded (Rn/D/dk/nb/nh)

At this time, the positions of
the various ships of the squadron were as follows:

"Macedonia":
At anchor as look-out ship.

"Kent"
(guard ship): At anchor in Port William.

“Invincible"
and "Inflexible": In Port William.

"Carnarvon":
In Port William.

"Cornwall":
In Port William.

"Glasgow":
In Port Stanley.

"Bristol":
In Port Stanley.

The "Kent" was at once ordered to
weigh, and a general signal was made to raise steam
for full speed.

At 8.20 a.m. the signal station
reported another column of smoke in sight to the
southward, and at 8.45 a.m. the "Kent" passed down
the harbour and took up a station at the entrance.

The "Canopus," Captain Heathcoat
S. Grant, reported at 8.47 a.m. that the first two
ships were 8 miles off, and that the smoke reported
at 8.20 a.m., appeared to be the smoke of two ships
about 20 miles off.

At 8.50 a.m. the signal station
reported a further column of smoke in sight to the
southward.

The ''Macedonia'' was ordered to
weigh anchor on the inner side of the other ships,
and await orders.

At
9.20 a.m. the two leading ships of the enemy
("Gneisenau" and "Nürnberg"), with guns trained on
the wireless station, came within range of the
"Canopus," who opened fire at them across the low
land at a range of 11,000 yards. The enemy at once
hoisted their colours and turned away. At this time
the masts and smoke of the enemy were visible from
the upper bridge of the "Invincible" at a range of
approximately 17,000 yards across the low land to
the south of Port William.

A
few minutes later the two cruisers altered course to
port, as though to close the "Kent" at the entrance
to the harbour, but about this time it seems that
the ''Invincible'' and '' Inflexible" were seen over
the land, as the enemy at once altered course and
increased speed to join their consorts.

The "Glasgow" weighed and
proceeded at 9.40 a.m. with orders to join the
"Kent" and observe the enemy's movements.

At 9.45 a.m. the squadron-less
the "Bristol" - weighed, and proceeded out of
harbour in the following order: ''Carnarvon,"
"Inflexible," "Invincible," and "Cornwall." On
passing Cape Pembroke Light, the five ships of the
enemy appeared clearly in sight to the south-east,
hull down. The visibility was at its maximum, the
sea was calm, with a bright sun, a clear sky, and a
light breeze from the north-west.

At 10.20 a.m. the signal for a
general chase was made. The battle cruisers quickly
passed ahead of the "Carnarvon" and overtook the
"Kent." The "Glasgow" was ordered to keep two miles
from the "Invincible," and the "Inflexible" was
stationed on the starboard quarter of the flagship.
Speed was eased to 20 knots at 11.15 a.m. to enable
the other cruisers to get into station.

At this time the enemy's funnels
and bridges showed just above the horizon.

Information was received from the
"Bristol " at 11.27 a.m. that three enemy ships had
appeared off Port Pleasant, probably colliers or
transports. The "Bristol" was therefore directed to
take the "Macedonia" under his orders and destroy
transports.

The enemy were still maintaining
their distance, and I decided, at 12.20 p.m., to
attack with the two battle cruisers and the
"Glasgow."

At 12.47 p.m. the signal to "Open
fire and engage the enemy" was made.

The "Inflexible" opened fire at
12.55 p.m. from her fore turret at the right-hand
ship of the enemy, a light cruiser; a few minutes
later the "Invincible" opened fire at the same ship.

The deliberate fire from a range
of 16,500 to 15,000 yards at the right-hand light
cruiser, who was dropping astern, became too
threatening, and when a shell fell close alongside
her at 1.20 p.m. she (the "Leipzig") turned away,
with the "Nürnberg " and "Dresden" to the
south-west. These light cruisers were at once
followed by the "Kent," "Glasgow," and "Cornwall,"
in accordance with my instructions.

The action finally developed into
three separate encounters, besides the subsidiary
one dealing with the threatened landing.

(B.)
ACTION WITH THE ARMOURED CRUISERS.

The fire of the battle cruisers
was directed on the "Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau."
The effect of this was quickly seen, when at 1.25
p.m., with the "Scharnhorst" leading, they turned
about 7 points to port in succession into line ahead
and opened fire at 1.30 p.m. Shortly afterwards
speed was eased to 24 knots, and the battle cruisers
were ordered to turn together, bringing them into
line ahead, with the "Invincible" leading.

The range was about 13,500 yards
at the final turn, and increased, until, at 2 p.m.,
it had reached 16,450 yards.

The enemy then (2.10 p.m.) turned
away about 10 points to starboard and a second chase
ensued, until, at 2.45 p.m., the battle cruisers
again opened fire; this caused the enemy, at 2.53
p.m., to turn into line ahead to port and open fire
at 2.55 p.m.

The "Scharnhorst" caught fire
forward, but not seriously, and her fire slackened
perceptibly; the "Gneisenau" was badly hit by the
"Inflexible."

At 3.30 p.m. the "Scharnhorst"
led round about 10 points to starboard; just
previously her fire had slackened perceptibly, and
one shell had shot away her third funnel; some guns
were not firing, and it would appear that the turn
was dictated by a desire to bring her starboard guns
into action. The effect of the fire on the
"Scharnhorst " became more and more apparent in
consequence of smoke from fires, and also escaping
steam; at times a shell would cause a large hole to
appear in her side, through which could be seen a
dull red glow of flame. At 4.4 p.m. the
"Scharnhorst," whose flag remained flying to the
last, suddenly listed heavily to port, and within a
minute it became clear that she was a doomed ship;
for the list increased very rapidly until she lay on
her beam ends, and at 4.17 p.m. she disappeared.

The "Gneisenau " passed on the
far side of her late flagship, and continued a
determined but ineffectual effort to fight the two
battle cruisers.

At 5.8 p.m. the forward funnel
was knocked over and remained resting against the
second funnel. She was evidently in serious straits,
and her fire slackened very much.

At 5.15 p.m. one of the
"Gneisenau's" shells struck the "Invincible"; this
was her last effective effort.

At 5.30 p.m. she turned towards
the flagship with a heavy list to starboard, and
appeared stopped, with steam pouring from her
escape-pipes, and smoke from shell and fires rising
everywhere. About this time I ordered the signal
"Cease fire," but before it was hoisted the
"Gneisenau" opened fire again, and continued to fire
from time to time with a single gun.

At 5.40 p.m. the three ships
closed in on the "Gneisenau," and, at this time, the
flag flying at her fore truck was apparently hauled
down, but the flag at the peak continued flying.

At 5.50 p.m. "Cease fire" was
made.

At 6 p.m. the "Gneisenau" heeled
over very suddenly, showing the men gathered on her
decks and then walking on her side as she lay for a
minute on her beam ends before sinking.

The prisoners of war from the
"Gneisenau" report that, by the time the ammunition
was expended, some 600 men had been killed and
wounded. The surviving officers and men were all
ordered on deck and told to provide themselves with
hammocks and any articles that could support them in
the water.

When the ship capsized and sank
there were probably some 200 unwounded survivors in
the water, but, owing to the shock of the cold
water, many were drowned within sight of the boats
and ship.

Every effort was made to save
life as quickly as possible, both by boats and from
the ships; life-buoys were thrown and ropes lowered,
but only a proportion could be rescued. The
"Invincible" alone rescued 108 men, fourteen of whom
were found to be dead after being brought on board;
these men were buried at sea the following day with
full military honours.

(C.)
ACTION WITH THE LIGHT CRUISERS.

At about 1 p.m., when the
"Scharnhorst" and "Gneisenau" turned to port to
engage the "Invincible" and "Inflexible” the enemy's
light cruisers turned to starboard to escape; the
"Dresden" was leading and the "Nürnberg" and
"Leipzig " followed on each quarter.

In accordance with my
instructions, the "Glasgow," "Kent," and "Cornwall"
at once went in chase of these ships; the
"Carnarvon," whose speed was insufficient to
overtake them, closed the battle cruisers.

The "Glasgow" drew well ahead of
the "Cornwall" and "Kent," and, at 3 p.m., shots
were exchanged with the "Leipzig" at 12,000 yards.
The "Glasgow's" object was to endeavour to outrange
the "Leipzig " with her 6-inch guns and thus cause
her to alter course and give the "Cornwall" and
"Kent" a chance of coming into action.

At 4.17 p.m. the "Cornwall"
opened fire, also on the "Leipzig."

At 7.17 p.m. the "Leipzig " was
on fire fore and aft, and the "Cornwall " and "
Glasgow " ceased fire.

The '' Leipzig'' turned over on
her port side and disappeared at 9 p.m. Seven
officers and eleven men were saved.

At 3.36 p.m. the "Cornwall"
ordered the "Kent" to engage the "Nürnberg," the
nearest cruiser to her.

Owing to the excellent and
strenuous efforts of the engine room department, the
"Kent" was able to get within range of the
"Nürnberg" at 5 p.m. At 6.35 p.m. the "Nürnberg" was
on fire forward and ceased firing. The "Kent" also
ceased firing and closed to 3,300 yards; as the
colours were still observed to be flying in the
"Nürnberg," the "Kent" opened fire again. Fire was
finally stopped five minutes later on the colours
being hauled down, and every preparation was made to
save life. The "Nürnberg" sank at 7.27 p.m., and, as
she sank, a group of men were waving a German ensign
attached to a staff. Twelve men were rescued, but
only seven survived.

The "Kent" had four killed and
twelve wounded, mostly caused by one shell.

During the time the three
cruisers were engaged with the "Nürnberg" and
"Leipzig," the "Dresden," who was beyond her
consorts, effected her escape owing to her superior
speed. The "Glasgow" was the only cruiser with
sufficient speed to have had any chance of success.
However, she was fully employed in engaging the
"Leipzig" for over an hour before either the
"Cornwall" or "Kent" could come up and get within
range. During this time the "Dresden" was able to
increase her distance and get out of sight.

The weather changed after 4 p.m.,
and the visibility was much reduced; further, the
sky was overcast and cloudy, thus assisting the
"Dresden" to get away unobserved.

(D.)
ACTION WITH THE ENEMY'S TRANSPORTS.

A report was received at 11.27
a.m. from H.M.S. "Bristol" that three ships of the
enemy, probably transports or colliers, had appeared
off Port Pleasant. The "Bristol" was ordered to take
the "Macedonia" under his orders and destroy the
transports.

H.M.S. "Macedonia" reports that
only two ships, steamships "Baden" and "Santa
Isabel," were present; both ships were sunk after
the removal of the crew.

I have pleasure in reporting that
the officers and men under my orders carried out
their duties with admirable efficiency and coolness,
and great credit is due to the Engineer Officers of
all the ships, several of which exceeded their
normal full speed.

The KING (is) pleased to give orders
for the following appointment to the Most Honourable Order
of the Bath, in recognition of the services of the
undermentioned Officer mentioned in the foregoing
despatch:

To
be an Additional Member of the Military Division
of the Third Class or Companion.

Captain John Luce, Royal Navy.

____

The KING (is) pleased to give orders
for the award of the Distinguished Service Cross
to the undermentioned Officers, in recognition of their
services mentioned in the foregoing despatch:

Carpenter Thomas Andrew Walls.

Carpenter William Henry
Yenning.

Carpenter George Henry Egford.

____

To receive the Conspicuous
Gallantry Medal.

Portsmouth R.F.B.R./3307,
Sergeant Charles Mayes, H.M.S. "Kent." A shell burst and
ignited some cordite charges in the casemate; a flash of
flame went down the hoist into the ammunition passage.
Sergeant Mayes picked up a charge of cordite and threw
it away. He then got hold of a fire hose and flooded the
compartment, extinguishing the fire in some empty shell
bags which were burning. The extinction of this fire
saved a disaster which might have led to the loss of the
ship.

For meritorious service in connection
with the sinking of the German Cruiser "Dresden,"
14th March, 1915:

Lieutenant Charles Gage Stuart, R.N.

29512 - 17 MARCH 1916

The KING has been pleased, by LettersPatent under the Great Seal of the UnitedKingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, toconfer the dignity of a Baronet of the
saidUnited Kingdom upon
Vice-Admiral SirFrederick
Charles Doveton Sturdee, K.C.B.,C.V.O.,
C.M.G., R.N., and the heir his body lawfully begotten (believed
in recognition of the Battle of the Falklands).

The following Officers are mentioned
for good services whilst employed on Transport duties at
the Dardanelles:

(including)

Cdre. (now Rear-Adml.) Richard F.
Phillimore, C.B., M.V.O.

30111 - 1 JUNE 1917

..... appointments to, the Most
Honourable Order of the Bath, in recognition of
the services of the undermentioned Officers during
the War:

To be Additional Members of the Military
Division of the Third Class, or Companions,
of the said Most Honourable Order:

(including)

Rear-Admiral Archibald Peile Stoddart.

Captain Tufton Percy Hamilton Beamish,
R.N.

____

30576
- 12
MARCH 1918

The
KING (is) pleased to give orders for the following
appointments to the Most Excellent Order of the
British Empire for services in or for the Oversea
Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates, in connection with
the War. The appointments to date from the 1st January,
1918:

Crown
Colonies, Protectorates, &c

To
be Officers of the said Most Excellent Order.

Mrs.
Muriel Harriet Felton; for services rendered to the
British Squadron on the occasion of the Naval Battle off
the Falkland Islands 8th December, 1914.

30935 - 4
OCTOBER 1918

The
KING (is) pleased to give orders for the following
promotions in and appointments to the Most Excellent Order
of the British Empire for services in or for the
Oversea Dominions, Colonies and Protectorates, in
connection with the War. The appointments to date from the
3rd June, 1918:

CROWN COLONIES,
PROTECTORATES, &c.

To be Members of the said Most Excellent Order.

George
Milner Smith, Esquire, Harbour Master and Government
Pilot, Falkland Islands, for services in connection with
the Naval Battle, 8th December, 1914.

LINKS TO THE ORIGINAL LOG BOOK PAGES OF NINE OF
THE WARSHIPS TAKING PART